Batman #691

Tony Daniel comes in next issue where he will explore the Black Mask and his gang war. Very happy with this issue; it's too bad that the whole arc wasn't as good. Looking forward to Daniel as I liked his writing on Battle for the Cowl and of course his artwork is amazing. As for this issue, pick this one up! Read Full Review

Batman #691 was a good read. Winnick and Bagley combined to tell a fun story even though it had its faults. This issue and story arc will not appeal to all fans. If you enjoy reading a solid Batman adventure than I recommend picking this up. For fans looking for a bit more I recommend picking up Batman and Robin or Streets of Gotham. Read Full Review

The issue's one saving grace is that it ends on a genuinely enticing cliffhanger that promises exactly the sort of story that should be told with Dick Grayson behind the cowl. With Winick departing the book in favor of Tony Daniel, I don't know whether I should be thrilled that he wont be around to follow up on this twist, or worried that Daniel might abandon it for more Battle for the Cowl-related plot threads. Read Full Review

Unoriginal and borderline boring, this was a mediocre end to a mediocre storyline. It was told with skill, drawn with talent but just seemed to be taking up space. With so much momentum over the world of Batman this year, it's a big disappointment for fans of this book. This book is making me very anxious and almost irritable. I got all hyped up with Battle For The Cowl, driven crazy with Morrison's Batman and Robin and then turn around in a frothy Bat-frenzy for more... only to get "meh". Batman has become the anti-climax for everyone that's been worked into a fever pitch by what came before it and how well Morrison's book has delivered. This one comes in with a kindly C and it's best to just leave it at that. DC had better get these books living up to their potential soon or else I see sales dropping and interest just holding off until Bruce Wayne's return. Read Full Review

The best thing about this week's issue of Batman is that it isn't this week's issue of Uncanny XMen. I loved Judd Winick's run on Batman a few years back and I had liked what I've seen of Mark Bagley's art prior to his jump to DC, so, in theory, this should be a great run. Unfortunately for us, the execution hasn't really come together and this issue is really a culmination of everything that has been wrong with the run thus far. Read Full Review